Here’s Why You Need Winter Tires Even If You Have 4WD

This eye-opening comparison video shows why you shouldn’t rely on 4WD in winter conditions.

With the winter season fast approaching and temperatures dropping, lots of car owners will be thinking about fitting winter tires. But there are also some stubborn SUV drivers who will think they can rely on their 4WD system to wade through winter conditions with summer tires. To settle the debate, Tyre Reviews has done a comparison showing the difference in performance between a car fitted with winter tires and one with summer tires to see how they perform in the snow.

To keep it fair, two identical BMW X1 subcompact SUVs were used for the comparison. The “winter” SUV was front-wheel-drive fitted with a set of Goodyear Ultragrip Performance Gen-1 winter tires, while the other X1 was four-wheel-drive and equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 summer tires. Both tires are class-leading in their respective categories.

Both X1s were subjected to a series of tests in the snow, starting with an acceleration and braking test requiring them to accelerate to 31 mph before braking to see which SUV could stop the fastest. The next test consisted of a hill incline and decline before an emergency maneuver test while the SUVs were driving around 21 mph - 27 mph. Finally, the two X1s were driven on a track to see how they handled in the snow. Both SUVs were also timed to see which one completed the lap the fastest.

The conclusion? You absolutely should use winter tires when driving in the snow, even if you have a 4WD system. The most eye-opening comparison was the acceleration and braking test, as the difference in stopping distances was shocking. Likewise, the SUV with summer tires couldn’t make it up the hill climb with a 10 percent incline. In a real-life emergency situation, this could cause an accident that would have otherwise been preventable with winter tires.

Here's Proof That Cars Can Not Drive Themselves

Perhaps people will stop putting too much trust in "self-driving" systems.

Self-driving cars are supposed to usher humanity into a world where accidents are a relic of the past, yet today's systems are far from reaching this point. Every time a Tesla is involved in an accident, the immediate story becomes whether or not Autopilot was at fault. Clearly cars with supposed "self-driving" systems are not ready to be trusted completely, but consumers don't seem to comprehend the limitations of these aids. As cars with driving aids continue to be involved in accidents, it is important to know why the systems may fail in real world situations.

Thatcham Research, a UK-based insurance research group, put together a video explaining why so many vehicles with semi-autonomous features are still getting into accidents. The video does a great job of explaining what we have noticed in some of our tests with these features.

The video shows two vehicles, a Tesla Model S and a BMW 5 Series, both demonstrating the limitations of semi-autonomous driving aids. The first issue lies with adaptive cruise control. ACC works great when following the car in front, but if the lead car pulls away suddenly, the system may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. The next issue deals lane keep assist systems. We've tested Volvo's system, which is one of the best on the market, and found it to work perfectly well on a straight highway. When the roads get twisty, systems like these can easily become lost and stray into the opposing lane. It pays to understand how these systems work, and how they should be used safely.

Here’s A First Look Inside The BMW X1 Facelift

Could an M Performance version of the X1 be on the cards since BMW is working on a hot X2?

The X1 has only been on sale since 2015, so you wouldn’t think BMW would be in a rush to refresh it. However, increased competition has forced BMW to give the entry-level crossover an update to maintain sales momentum. As such, we’re not expecting any drastic styling changes for the upcoming BMW X1 facelift, and these new spy shots of a pre-production prototype undergoing hot weather testing in Southern Europe seem to support this.

Specifically, this appears to be a prototype of the M Sport version judging from the aggressive-looking air intakes, large alloy wheels, and dual exhaust tips. There have been a few minor styling changes since the last prototype was spied a few months ago such as slimmer headlights and a new front bumper. Otherwise, the BMW X1 facelift will look largely the same as the current model when it rolls out in 2019.

Our spies also managed to get a shot of the interior free of camouflage, but it seems to have been carried over from the current model apart from the larger infotainment screen. Expect the infotainment and sat-nav system to receive an update.

Currently, the only X1 sold in the US is the 28i model, which is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that sends 228 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission, so there’s a good chance this setup will carry over. It’s also available with front-wheel drive as standard but all-wheel drive is optional. An M Performance version could be on the cards though since we already know BMW is working on a hot M32i version of the X2.

Here's A First Look At The Brutal 600-HP BMW X6 M

The new BMW X6 M is expected to pack the new M5's twin-turbo V8.

After spy shots emerged of the new next-generation BMW X6, it was only a matter of time before the coupe-style SUV received the M Performance treatment. Fast forward a few months and we now have the first spy photos of the X6 M in prototype form being benchmarked against its predecessor.

While it's covered in a full body wrap, it’s already clear that the new X6 M will look decidedly less ugly than its predecessor, featuring a sleek coupe-style roofline and a larger kidney grille akin to newer BMW models, which doesn’t look out of place on a large SUV like the X6.

There are, of course, a few key differences that make the new X6 M look more aggressive than its standard sibling. At the front, the bumper incorporates some massive air intakes while flared wheel arches give the SUV a muscular appearance. There are also air vents located behind the front wheels and a signature M-specific quad exhaust system at the back.

Like its predecessor, the BMW M body kit adds new bumpers, side skirts, side mirrors, and a subtle roof spoiler, which is also joined by an integrated boot lid spoiler. Both the new X6 and X6 M are expected to be powered by the M5’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. In the M5 Competition, the engine produces 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, so we’re expecting the X6 M to deliver a similar level of power. BMW has also hinted M SUVs could get the Competition Package treatment in the future.

The X6 M isn’t the only new performance SUV BMW has in the pipeline either, as the X3 M and X4 M are expected to break cover soon, possibly at the 2018 LA Auto Show in November. Given that the standard X6 is slated to go on sale in 2019, the M version probably won’t arrive until 2020.

Here's How Much It Will Cost To Drive An Unlimited Number Of BMWs

Yes, you will be able to drive M cars as part of the program.

Early this week, we reported on the launch of BMW's subscription service in the US market. The subscription service will be called "Access By BMW," and the pilot program will be available through a dealership in Nashville,Tennessee. When we reached out to find out more information on pricing, the dealer told us to expect more information in early May. Now BMW has laid out pricing on its subscription program, which will allow customers to switch out vehicles within the company's model range.

The lower tier subscription (dubbed Legend level) starts at $2,000 per month, and includes access to the 4 Series coupe and convertible, M2, X5, and 5 Series sedan (including the plug-in hybrid). Stepping up to the M Tier will cost $3,600 per month and give access to the M4 convertible, M5 sedan, M6 convertible, X5M and X6M. Ian Smith, CEO of BMW Group Financial Services USA and Region Americas, told Automotive News that a lower tier below the $2,000 level may be available later on. All tiers include maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance, as well as unlimited car swaps in any given month.

Unlike a lease, Access By BMW can be continued indefinitely and cancelled at any time. This means customers can try the service for a single month without making a commitment. BMW is the latest automaker to dip its toe into the subscription-based business model. Porsche's Passport program also starts at $2,000 for the base level, then goes up to $3,000 for more expensive models. For now, these programs are too expensive for average consumers, but we could be looking at the future of car ownership here.

Here's What Bentley Has Planned Before Its First EV Arrives in 2025

Becoming profitable again is the number one priority.

Europe's new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) program for testing vehicle emissions has caught many automakers by surprise. Among them, Bentley suffered a major setback when several of its new models were delayed for WLTP testing. In an interview with Auto Express, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said these delays have put the company in the red for the first time since 2009.

“Two problems have driven us into the red,” he explained. “The [Continental GT] coupe was delayed nine months, it just wasn’t ready for launch. But we’d paid for it – we’d paid all the money out, but not got any money back in. The second factor was, just when we thought we had the GT right and production flowing, WLTP comes along so we had further delays.”

Bentley has decided to be completely upfront about its unpreparedness for WLTP. Now, the company should be well-positioned to make a profit in 2019. “Next year we have to be back in the black. The coupe will be flowing, the convertible is coming, Bentayga will be on full chat with the V8 and the hybrid, that’s been delayed because of WLTP too, should be here in the first half of next year, maybe even first quarter.”

Rumors have also been circulating about an all-electric model based on the Porsche Mission E platform, though these seem to have been premature. “We could’ve done something off Porsche’s Mission E and it would’ve worked, but that’s not what I want from Bentley,” Hallmark said. “So we want to wait until the battery technology works for the types of cars that we build. In the meantime we’ll go hybrid and performance hybrid. Mid-2020s is when we think the technology will meet the needs of the bigger cars we need to build.”

We should start to see every Bentley model receive a plug-in hybrid version, leading up to the company's first EV by 2025. As you'd expect from Bentley, these plug-ins should be quite spectacular in terms of range. “A 30-mile range plug-in hybrid is very transitional. But a 60- or 70-mile hybrid starts to get interesting. We want to create a package that works and gives real customer benefit" said Hallmark.

Bentley will also introduce a number of special edition models in the coming years. “We don’t do enough limited or special editions, slightly different body styles or limited run cars,” Hallmark explained. “We’ve got to do more variation on what we have and we’ll use Mulliner to do that." Perhaps we could even see interesting models like a shooting brake version of the Continental GT.

The company will also add “at least one nameplate in the future, and that will probably be as the transition between conventional products and battery electrical products.” We aren't sure what bodystyle this new nameplate will arrive with but knowing Bentley, it should be lovely.

Here’s The New BMW Z4 Before You’re Supposed To See It

Nothing liked some leaked images on a Sunday.

We’ve known for a while now that BMW will unveil the production-spec Z4 at Pebble Beach later this month. Although the automaker has released a series of photos showing a pre-production Z4 test mule decked out in camouflage, official images of the final design remained top secret. Until now. Sundays can be exciting after all.

Thanks to the folks at Bimmer Post via SupraMVK, three leaked images of the all-new 2019 BMW Z4 have found their way online. Not only is it a far more exciting and emotional design than its immediate predecessor, but it also bears a striking resemblance to the Z4 concept BMW brought to Pebble Beach almost exactly a year ago. So, let’s dig in.

The production Z4 (at least in M40i spec as shown here) looks awfully similar to the concept, specifically the front end design and those angled headlights, which are now wider. The lower grille is also bigger, but the overall shape is still very similar to the concept. The twin kidney grille retains the concept’s general mesh pattern and it’s also slightly larger. Out back, those narrow taillights remain, as do the air vents at each side. Even the shape of the exhausts are nearly identical.

Looking at the production Z4 from the side, the concept’s angled lines have been very much carried over. Just look at the side vent just behind the front wheel. The character line is also angled downwards, ultimately ending at the front wheel.

There’s also a lower character line that angles up towards the rear wheel, thus creating not only an emotional design but also one that gives the car of being in motion even at a standstill. Generally speaking, BWW got this one right here, but we’re still waiting for official pictures to arrive in order to make a final judgment. Until then, let us know what you think of the all-new BMW Z4 in the comments.

(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MJCGS3N');var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: "2", c2: "28140907" });(function() {var s = document.createElement("script"), el = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();

Here’s Your Chance To Own The Original (And Best) BMW M3

This one owner car may be a serious bargain if you act quick.

Proxibid provides internet bidding services for the auction industry, covering a massive range of categories from antiques to electronics, real estate, and even industrial machinery. The category we are particularly interested though is collector’s cars, as for right this very minute it has a rather decent looking E30 BMW M3 on offer.

Built in 1988, it is one of the earlier cars boasting a motorsport-derived 192 horsepower 2.3-liter inline-four engine. The car has also only had one owner from new. What makes these cars so special aside from being the very first M3 ever is the way that they handle and how raw and engaging they feel to drive.

The E30 M3 used to be a cheap entry-point into the M brand and whereas a few years back one could be yours for around $10,000, even tired examples can command up to $50,000 these days. A very low-mileage example sold earlier this year for double that figure.

This particular car has over 176,000 miles on it, but the engine has had an overhaul by a BMW specialist recently and it has also received a new clutch, suspension, and shocks. The current bid as of writing is sitting at $21,000, a serious bargain even considering the 15 percent internet premium and approximately 8 percent sales tax that is charged on top of that figure.

Judging from the images, the car looks to be in good condition, the usual wear and tear around the seat bolsters and in the engine bay seem reasonable for its age, the car also comes with a brand-new dashboard (E30 owners will know how easily these crack) and what appears to be at least a partial service history.

As with any online transaction of this kind, buying sight unseen can be risky and Proxibid states that this is strictly an as-is sale. You will also need to make your own arrangements to collect the car from their California-based warehouse. Still, the car has no rust, has never been involved in an accident and its VIN numbers all match up. Sounds like this could be a serious bargain for the right buyer.

Here’s Why The New BMW Z4 Won’t Get A Manual Gearbox

A full-fat BMW Z4 M is also unlikely to happen.

It’s no secret that sports cars with manual gearboxes are becoming a dying breed, so we weren’t surprised when the 2019 BMW Z4 was revealed with an eight-speed ZF automatic as the only transmission option. Speaking with Road and Track, BMW head of Research and Development Klaus Frohlich explained why the Z4 isn’t being offered with a manual. The fact is, the sports car segment is a shrinking market and there’s much more customer demand for automatic transmissions.

Frohlich argued it simply wouldn’t make financial sense for BMW to invest in engineering a manual transmission for the Z4 when few people would buy it. The only consolation is that Frohlich said he would be open to the possibility of adding a manual gearbox to the Z4 in the future – but only if there is enough customer demand to justify it.

The declining demand for sports cars is also why a full-fat BMW Z4 M is unlikely to get the green light. In fact, Frohlich admitted he had a hard time convincing top BMW executives to get the regular Z4 approved. "At the moment this segment is very small, and I had to fight hard to make the [new Z4] happen at all, honestly. It was against the finance controllers," he admitted.

Instead, the M40i represents the range-topping model in the Z4 range as the next best thing to a full fat M model. In Europe, it has a turbocharged inline-six 3.0-liter engine producing 355 horsepower. Technical specifications will be revealed for the US later this month – let's hope it has more power since emissions regulations aren’t as strict as Europe's.

Here's What Bentley Has Planned Before Its First EV Arrives in 2025

Becoming profitable again is the number one priority.

Europe's new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) program for testing vehicle emissions has caught many automakers by surprise. Among them, Bentley suffered a major setback when several of its new models were delayed for WLTP testing. In an interview with Auto Express, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said these delays have put the company in the red for the first time since 2009.

“Two problems have driven us into the red,” he explained. “The [Continental GT] coupe was delayed nine months, it just wasn’t ready for launch. But we’d paid for it – we’d paid all the money out, but not got any money back in. The second factor was, just when we thought we had the GT right and production flowing, WLTP comes along so we had further delays.”

Bentley has decided to be completely upfront about its unpreparedness for WLTP. Now, the company should be well-positioned to make a profit in 2019. “Next year we have to be back in the black. The coupe will be flowing, the convertible is coming, Bentayga will be on full chat with the V8 and the hybrid, that’s been delayed because of WLTP too, should be here in the first half of next year, maybe even first quarter.”

Rumors have also been circulating about an all-electric model based on the Porsche Mission E platform, though these seem to have been premature. “We could’ve done something off Porsche’s Mission E and it would’ve worked, but that’s not what I want from Bentley,” Hallmark said. “So we want to wait until the battery technology works for the types of cars that we build. In the meantime we’ll go hybrid and performance hybrid. Mid-2020s is when we think the technology will meet the needs of the bigger cars we need to build.”

We should start to see every Bentley model receive a plug-in hybrid version, leading up to the company's first EV by 2025. As you'd expect from Bentley, these plug-ins should be quite spectacular in terms of range. “A 30-mile range plug-in hybrid is very transitional. But a 60- or 70-mile hybrid starts to get interesting. We want to create a package that works and gives real customer benefit" said Hallmark.

Bentley will also introduce a number of special edition models in the coming years. “We don’t do enough limited or special editions, slightly different body styles or limited run cars,” Hallmark explained. “We’ve got to do more variation on what we have and we’ll use Mulliner to do that." Perhaps we could even see interesting models like a shooting brake version of the Continental GT.

The company will also add “at least one nameplate in the future, and that will probably be as the transition between conventional products and battery electrical products.” We aren't sure what bodystyle this new nameplate will arrive with but knowing Bentley, it should be lovely.

Here's Your First Look At The All-New BMW 3 Series Wagon

Now we just have to pray it comes stateside.

We've seen numerous spy shots of the next generation BMW 3 Series, codenamed the G20. The G20 will look to pick up where the F30 left off, with a range of turbocharged engines as well as the expected addition of a plug-in and fully electric model. The 3 Series will obviously be sold as a sedan, but like previous generations it will have a number of spinoff models. BMW currently sells an estate version of the 3 Series called the Sport Wagon, and recent spy shots give us a hint of what the next generation model will look like.

From what we can tell on the camouflaged test mule, the 3 Series Sport Wagon will look a bit like a shrunken down version of the 5 Series Touring, which is not sold in the US. Engines will be shared with the sedan, which has yet to be revealed. Expect a handful of diesel engines in Europe, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and possibly a sporty M340i version. Though it is highly unexpected, we'd love to see BMW build an M3 wagon this time around. Though many aftermarket attempts and factory prototypes exist, BMW has never sold a wagon version of the M3 to the public.

We are happy to see BMW continue to build a wagon version of the 3 Series, despite the popularity of SUV models like the X3 and X4. Hopefully this new 3 Series wagon will be brought to the US to replace the current model.

Here's Some Hard Proof Of The BMW M8 Competition Model

Like the M2 and M5, the M8 will get its own hardcore version.

Ever since BMW revealed the 8 Series Coupe in M805i xDrive trim, speculation has begun on what the full M version will be like. Even BMW teased an M8 Gran Coupe Concept and has already confirmed that an M8 Coupe is on its way. Powertrain details are still unknown but it is expected to borrow the M5's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 pumping out over 615 horsepower, which is a bit more than the standard M5's 600 hp figure.

While a 615-hp M8 would be more powerful than the standard M5, it would actually be less powerful than the M5 Competition, which has 625 hp. The M8 should be BMW's flagship M car, so it seems likely that a more powerful version is also in the works.

A leaked document on Bimmerpost appears to show various trim levels of the 8 Series Coupe, including the 840i and 840d, the M8, as well as the M8 Competition. Like the recent M2 and M5 Competition, it seems BMW will reveal a more hardcore version to go along with the M8.

The M2 Competition acts as a replacement for the M2, while the M5 Competition will be sold alongside the standard M5. According to this document, the M8 Competition will likely be offered alongside the M8.

If we had to guess, the M8 Competition will likely gain an additional 25 hp over the standard M8, putting the figure at around 635 hp. BMW will also sell a base 840i version, which will likely receive the latest turbocharged straight-six from the 340i producing at least 382 hp. There will also be a diesel version, though we doubt it will be sold in the US market. So if you're already on the waiting list for an M8, you may want to wait for the M8 Competition.

Here's All The Discounts Luxury Brands Are Offering Right Now

Great deals are to be found this time of year.

It’s that time of the year. The holiday season is fast approaching but, above all for automakers, the end of the year is only a few weeks away. That means it’s time to not only get rid of excess inventory but also to aim for a strong end of year finish. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz know all about this. And speaking of those luxury brands and some of their competitors, Cars Direct has discovered that many are offering some pretty sweet deals right now on many of the most popular premium cars and crossovers.

Here's several luxury makes and models that are very likely experiencing the best prices they've had all year. If there was ever a time to buy or lease, it's now. Remember, if you snooze you lose.

Audi

Thanks to a Season of Audi Credit when buying or leasing a vehicle, you can now get a $1,000 credit on either a 2018 or 2019 Audi Q7. The 2018 A4, A5 Sportback and Q5 are also each be offered with a $750 credit. The A3 sedan has a $500 credit of its own, while the Q5 has an additional $2,000 off. Note that Audi is offering dealers unadvertised incentives from $1,000 to $17,500 on select models. Of course, the amount you could save will likely vary from dealer to dealer, so it’s best to shop around.

Cadillac

Cadillac is really pushing end of the year deals. For example, you can buy a new Escalade SUV with as much as $7,000 off, depending on trim. That figure could potentially increase to $10,000 if you plop down a $2,000 down payment and finance through GM Financial. If you don’t want a big SUV but still like to sit up high, the XT5 is also being offered with some attractive discounts, like $2,000 in rebates on select trims. If you were to trade in a competitor and also finance through GM Financial, another $2,000 could be slashed. Lastly, there’s a $3,000 Flex Cash incentive. Do your homework, put your bargaining face on and you could drive home quite happy.

Jaguar

Fancy a new XE, E-Pace, F-Pace, or even an F-Type? Jaguar is now offering its Winter Sales Event bonus which entitles buyers to a $1,000 discount on a 2018 or 2019 XE or E-Pace. There’s another $3,000 discount option happening for the latter. The F-Pace has a $1,500 discount of its own that can also be combined with another $1,000 bonus. As for that F-Type, how does an $11,000 discount sound? We thought so. And yes, this applies to the supercharged V8 F-Type. The turbo four and supercharged V6 variants each have a smaller but still solid $8,000 discount.

Lexus

Lexus is no stranger to end of the year deals. Remember its December to Remember sales event? It’ll soon be back and there’ll be 0 percent financing and extra cash offered. Several 2018 models, including the IS, RX, and LS are eligible for 0 percent APR for 60 months. However, there’s a bit of a catch. If you go with the financing you could potentially be sacrificing other attractive rebate offers. Here’s one example: in California, a 2018 LS is eligible for a $5,000 discount plus another $3,000 when trading in a competitor for a total of $8k in savings. Your call.

Mercedes-Benz

The German automaker is bringing back its attractive low APR after over a year of no factory financing. For example, you can get 1.99 percent APR for 72 months on the 2018 and 2019 C-Class sedan or 2.99 percent APR on a 2019 E-Class sedan and the GLC. Prefer to lease? No problem. The 2019 GLA 250 Premium is receiving a $20/month price reduction for a final price of $359 a month for 36 months, but there’ll be $3,707 due at signing. You could also look at the offer like this: with its effective cost of $462, a new GLA is only $8 a month more expensive than the CLA 250.

Will There Be A BMW Z4 M? Here’s Your Answer

An interview with the M division boss should clarify things.

In less than one month, BMW will reveal its next-generation Z4 roadster at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. In fact, the German automaker has just released a new teaser image of the car’s front grille to add some further media hype. We’re hyped, needless to say. The new Z4 is built on that same BMW-Toyota jointly developed sports car platform that’ll also underpin the new Supra. However, the Supra will very likely remain a coupe only while the Z4 will sport the drop top. But what about a potential Z4 M?

This has topic has rarely been discussed, until now. Car and Driver chatted with BMW M boss Frank Van Meel recently and without directly saying “no”, van Meel more or less poured cold water on a future M version. “Let me put it this way: I think the M40i is the perfect positioning regarding performance of that car,” he said. “It’s quite close to the M2, so we’re really happy with the overall concept of that car being an M40i. If you would go any higher, it would be very, very narrow in customer groups.” Basically, BMW doesn’t see the business case for a Z4 M, namely because the convertible/roadster market is already niche enough as is.

The first generation Z4 sported a full-on M version sold as both a coupe and roadster. A total of only a little over 5,000 M roadsters and 4,200 M coupes were built worldwide before production ended in 2008. The recently discontinued second-generation Z4 never had an M variant. The Z4’s Z3 predecessor, however, had both an M coupe and roadster, the former being particularly rare. Regarding the upcoming all-new Z4, specifically the M40i referred to by van Meel, reports indicate it’ll be powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder. Exact output and other specs are coming soon, but we highly doubt it’ll be underpowered.